Earth Day (NYC) Contemplative Meeting of Meetings (mahasangha)

Start: Saturday, April 22, 2023• 3:00 PM

End: Saturday, April 22, 2023• 5:00 PM

Photos by Inspiration4 crew via Creative Commons

We face a number of interlocking challenges such as racial, gender, and income inequality; ecocide and climate collapse. Each of these issues can be tied back to a crisis of disconnection—to self, other, and nature—that result in a commoditization and exploitation of people and resources. The teachings of the dharma and other contemplative practices help us see through this disconnection and prioritize selfless service for all beings. We imagine this being open to secular groups, all faiths and lineages and communities that share the view of applying contemplative practices to these challenges (whether it's climate justice or more focused on other intersectional justice work - anti-racism, mutual aid, prison abolition, etc).

The scale of the climate crises crisis and related crises is unprecedented in human civilization and will require all of us to come together to change our current trajectory. The aim of the mahasangha is to unite individual practitioners and practice communities who are in common cause to create a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.

Potential goals

Create a larger community of practice, harmony and loving-kindness

Learn, cooperate and take skillful action on climate justice related issues

Establish a regenerative and resilient community to sustain us over the long term

The idea for our gatherings, that would kick off on this Earth Day, is to welcome as many communities of people that do this work (e.g., contemplative practice in the service of justice & climate justice) in a big group (or mahasangha) and practice & learn together & then leave space for each of the groups to meet in their own smaller affinity groups for their own purposes & then to rejoin afterwards for more connection and learning!

Note on the location - The Battery Labyrinth (link to the precise location) is small so assuming we have a large group, we'll be gathering in the nearby green spaces and using the labyrinth for some walking meditation perhaps. It is located just north of Castle Clinton and just south of the address in the listing.

Groups attending/supporting (so far!)

EcoSattva Affinity group of Brooklyn Zen Center - Matthew Menzies & Nobuko Hori

Wake Up NY Sangha / Riverside Sangha - Max Weidmann

Aware & Awake / Mama Sangha / Curanderismo Group - Gala Narezo

Racial Justice + Dharma - Joy Gutierrez

Greenfaith NYC - Rev. Chelsea McMillan

Students of Fire Lotus Temple (NYC) - Dan Donohue

New York Insight Meditation Center - Sacred Earth Sangha - Tom Carling

Extinction Rebellion NYC Mindful Rebels - Mark Graham (212) 960-8414 (text/voice)